JAZZ MUSIC AT ST. PJ'S
One of the things that we love about Sunday morning at St. PJ's -- and a unique hallmark of the church -- is that all of our music is led by trained jazz musicians. From the saxophone's sweet tones to the piano's bright, rhythmic chords, we find it easier to connect with God when jazz fills our sanctuary and our spirits. From praise to lament, jazz can tap into any God-created human emotion.
A typical Sunday features 2-4 musicians including our long-time music director, Will Cleary, on alto saxophone, and our associate music director, Dylan Rowland, on piano. They are sometimes joined by additional musicians for special occasions like Palm Sunday and Christmas, and often by volunteer cantors who lead the congregation in singing hymns and spirituals.
St. PJ's has a proud history of hosting jazz concerts and other musical events throughout our campus. As a way of supporting the local arts community, we are also pleased to make both the Sanctuary and the Music Office available for musicians to rent at affordable rates for rehearsals and performances.
A typical Sunday features 2-4 musicians including our long-time music director, Will Cleary, on alto saxophone, and our associate music director, Dylan Rowland, on piano. They are sometimes joined by additional musicians for special occasions like Palm Sunday and Christmas, and often by volunteer cantors who lead the congregation in singing hymns and spirituals.
St. PJ's has a proud history of hosting jazz concerts and other musical events throughout our campus. As a way of supporting the local arts community, we are also pleased to make both the Sanctuary and the Music Office available for musicians to rent at affordable rates for rehearsals and performances.
Meet Will Cleary, Music Director
Will Cleary hails from Houston, Texas, where he began his jazz studies at the Summer Jazz Workshop and Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He then obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the Oberlin Conservatory, studying with Gary Bartz, Robin Eubanks, and Dan Wall. He received his Master of Music degree in 2010 from the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Walt Weiskopf and Bill Dobbins, and was the recipient of the Raymond and Maxine Schirmer Prize in Jazz Performance.
Will has played with Slide Hampton, Chuck Mangione, Conrad Herwig, Marvin Stamm, Marcus Belgrave, Charles McPherson, Kim Waters, Bob Sneider, Dave Glasser, and Pat LaBarbera. He has opened for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, as well as for Jason Moran. Other significant performances include appearances at the Houston International Jazz Festival, the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and services at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.
In addition to his ministry at St. PJ's, Will is on the faculty at Southern Connecticut State University, plays and records with artists in the New Haven area, and offers private saxophone lessons in jazz, classical, and rock/pop styles. He is also a member of Theodicy Jazz Collective, arguably the nation’s foremost liturgically based jazz ensemble, having led services and workshops at venues such as Washington National Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Oxford and Yale universities, and the Episcopal Church's General Convention.
Will has played with Slide Hampton, Chuck Mangione, Conrad Herwig, Marvin Stamm, Marcus Belgrave, Charles McPherson, Kim Waters, Bob Sneider, Dave Glasser, and Pat LaBarbera. He has opened for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, as well as for Jason Moran. Other significant performances include appearances at the Houston International Jazz Festival, the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and services at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.
In addition to his ministry at St. PJ's, Will is on the faculty at Southern Connecticut State University, plays and records with artists in the New Haven area, and offers private saxophone lessons in jazz, classical, and rock/pop styles. He is also a member of Theodicy Jazz Collective, arguably the nation’s foremost liturgically based jazz ensemble, having led services and workshops at venues such as Washington National Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Oxford and Yale universities, and the Episcopal Church's General Convention.
Meet Dylan Rowland, Associate Music Director
Dylan Rowland is the associate music director at St. PJ’s. He is also a piano instructor at the Macri School Of Music, which has been voted "best guitar and piano instruction in Connecticut six consecutive years" by the Hartford Readers Poll.
Dylan is a graduate of The Hartt School, the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford, as well as the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. He has played with such renowned musicians as Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, the irresistible tap dance and live music company "Music From The Sole" at Guggenheim New York, and more.
Dylan is a graduate of The Hartt School, the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford, as well as the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. He has played with such renowned musicians as Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, the irresistible tap dance and live music company "Music From The Sole" at Guggenheim New York, and more.